Vehicle SOC Threshold Control for Range Extension and Battery Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle batteries can be prematurely aged or damaged if operated when the state of charge (SOC) drops below a certain threshold, limiting the vehicle's range and mission capability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage method is implemented to extend the vehicle's range by monitoring the SOC and activating progressive conservation steps as the SOC drops below defined thresholds, including speed limitations, power reductions, and indicator light alerts, eventually activating an internal combustion engine when SOC is critically low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the vehicle operates when SOC drops below a certain threshold, then the vehicle can continue its mission and maintain range, but the battery may be prematurely aged or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the SOC range into multiple threshold levels (first threshold and second threshold) rather than using a single cutoff point. This segmentation allows for progressive conservation actions to be applied at different stages, extending the usable SOC range while protecting the battery from deep discharge damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary conservation actions when SOC reaches the first threshold before the battery is critically low. By activating conservation measures proactively at higher SOC levels, the system extends vehicle range without allowing the battery to enter dangerous low-SOC states that would cause damage.
2Reliability
If SOC conservation steps are activated to extend range, then battery protection is improved, but vehicle performance and driver convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts conservation measures based on the current SOC level. When SOC is between the first and second thresholds, less restrictive conservation steps are applied. When SOC drops below the second threshold, more aggressive conservation measures are activated. This dynamic adaptation balances battery protection with maintained vehicle performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial conservation actions (speed limiting, power reduction) rather than complete vehicle shutdown when SOC is low. These partial measures are sufficient to extend range and protect the battery while maintaining basic vehicle operability and driver convenience.
3Duration of action of moving object
If progressive conservation steps are implemented with multiple thresholds, then vehicle range is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple threshold-based decision layers. Each threshold level has predefined conservation actions, simplifying the control logic at each stage while achieving complex overall behavior through modular threshold comparisons and conditional action activation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a multi-stage method to extend the range of a vehicle. The method includes taking progressive actions on a vehicle as the state of charge (SOC) drops below defined levels. The method may include monitoring the SOC of the vehicle in relation to a SOC threshold or monitoring the SOC of the vehicle in relation to the distance remaining to a predetermined destination.